Sarah Bidney, PGA
2022, 2020 & 2015 Iowa PGA Section Youth Player Development award winner
2022-2023 & 2019-2020 Golf Digest’s Best Teachers by State
2018-2019 Golf Digest’s Best Young Teachers in America
2021-Present: Operation 36 Master Coach
2019-2020 Operation 36 Top 50 Coach
2010, 2012 & 2015 Iowa PGA Section Teaching Professional of the Year
2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 GRAA Elite Member Status (highest award given)
2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 GRAA Top 50 Growth of the Game Teaching Professional
2012, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 U.S. Kids Golf Top 50 Kids Teachers – Honorable Mention
Class A PGA Member since 2006
PGA Apprentice from 2002-2006
2023 marks the 22nd year Sarah Bidney has been giving golf lessons, her 17th as a full-time Teaching Professional.
Facilities Employed
Wakonda Club, Director of Instruction, Des Moines, Iowa: 2015 – Present
Sugar Creek Golf Course, Teaching Professional, Waukee, Iowa: 2008 – 2014
Promontory Club, Teaching Professional, Park City, Utah: 2007
Wakonda Club, 1st Assistant, Des Moines, Iowa: 2006
Stonebridge Country Club, Assistant Professional/Women’s Coordinator, Naples, Florida: Winters of ’05/’06 & ’06/’07
Otter Creek Golf Course, Assistant Professional, Ankeny, Iowa: 2001 – 2006
Current Objective
To grow the game of golf in and around the Des Moines area through a wide variety of golf instruction programs and lessons.The goal with every lesson and program is to develop golfers who enjoy the game, whether it be for leisure, fun, competition, making the high school team, obtaining college scholarships, business or merely to learn a game that can be played all throughout life.
Awards & Honors
2022-2023 & 2019-2020 Golf Digest’s Best Teachers by State (Iowa)
2018-2019 Golf Digest’s Best Young Teachers in America*
2010, 2012 & 2015 Iowa PGA Teaching Professional of the Year**
2015, 2020, & 2022 Iowa PGA Section Youth Player Development award winner***
2017-2021 GRAA Elite Member Status (highest honor awarded)
2012-2016 GRAA Top 50 Growth of the Game Teaching Professional
2012, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 U.S. Kids Golf Top 50 Kids Teachers – Honorable Mention
2006 PGA Apprentice Acushnet Scholarship Recipient (Top graduate, Iowa Section)
*Only Professional from Iowa to make this list in its 10 year history.
**Only female recipient in the 30 year history of the award, only female to receive the award three times.
***Only Professional to win both the Teacher of the Year and Youth Player Development awards in a single season (2015).
Additional Information
Iowa PGA Section Board Member – 2019-present, Junior Golf Co-Chair
Mach 3 Speed Training Certified since 2018, only Professional in the state of Iowa
Wright Balance Certified Level 5 Fitter since 2016, only Professional in the state of Iowa
Iowa PGA Teaching and Coaching Summit Presenter – Junior Golf, Why Kids Play and Why They Leave the Game – 2014
Clinician with Special Olympics Iowa, free one hour clinics for Athletes and Coaches, 4-6 times per season.
2007-2017
Caddy for Kathy Whitworth, LPGA & World Golf Hall of Fame Member, on the Legends Tour.
2001-2006: 6 events
Caddy for Patty Sheehan, World Golf Hall of Fame Member, on The Legends Tour.
2006: 1 event
Coordinated guest clinics with Kathy Whitworth, LPGA Hall of Fame/World Golf Hall of Fame Member.
2006 & 2007
United States Golf Association (USGA) Rules & Workshop seminar
2007, 3 1/2 day workshop
2015, 2 day workshop
JD Turner Golf School Instructor
2008
Rules official IGA Mid-Am qualifier
2006
Des Moines Golf Lessons - Sarah Bidney, PGA 